With a 4-H project “gone mad” Kedrick Miller has devoted the last two decades to building his meat goat operation. Located in Thorntown, Ind., Miller along with his wife, Melissa and four kids focus their attention on raising high-quality Boer goats for youth livestock exhibitors. What started at as a 4-H project about 20 years […]

What ingredients make a “balanced feed ration” for my show goats? There are lots of ingredients that can make up a balanced feed ration. Perhaps what is more important than the types of ingredients, is the nutrient composition of the “balanced” feed ration. The nutrient composition consists of certain amounts of protein, energy, vitamins and […]

When should I feed my animal? Consistency is key when feeding both steers and heifers. Typically, you feed morning and night and want close to 12 hours between those feedings. Hot weather during the summer can decrease appetite, so it is beneficial to feed early in the morning and later in the evening. Make sure […]

Summer heat can be tough on show livestock – or any livestock for that matter. Heat stress causes increased respiration rate, suppressed appetite, fatigue and dehydration, all signs of a lowered immune response. When we think about these traits and the way they impact production, it becomes very evident that the strenuous expectations we put […]

Junior nationals are the summer highlight for many livestock exhibitors. It doesn’t matter the species or breed, these week-long events allow young people and their families to travel to a destination to show their livestock, participate in educational contests, discover new sites and make lasting memories with lifelong friends. A week-long event, often hundreds of […]

Thank you to Jessica Judge, new Sure Champ intern and National Champion Livestock Judging Team member at Oklahoma State University, for providing the officials and reasons for this class. Placing: 1-4-2-3 Cuts: 3-4-2 I like the Angus Heifers 1423. One look from the side and 1’s got the most intriguing pieces to tie to. […]